Ireland gives Malawi K800m for Covid-19 response
The Irish Government has allocated a further 500 000 euro (about K400 million) to Malawi through United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) to help in the fight against the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The recent grant brings the total Irish Government aid to Malawi towards Covid-19 fight to K800 million.
In a statement released yesterday, Irish Ambassador Gerry Cunningham said he was pleased that through the partnership with Unicef, his government has provided additional funding towards Malawi’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He s a i d : “ T h i s supplements earlier grants from our headquarters and the embassy to support partners in Malawi who are responding to some of the immediate needs in the Government of Malawi’s Response Plan.
“It is my hope that, together with funding from other European Union partners, this support will strengthen Malawi’s health systems to prevent, contain and treat Covid-19 infection.”
The ambassador said the K400 million grant to Unicef will support the establishment and staffing of standard Emergency
contain and treat Covid-19 infection.”
The ambassador said the K400 million grant to Unicef will support the establishment and staffing of standard Emergency
Treatment Units (ETUs) in Mangochi and Karonga.
The ETUs are expected to cater for 1 000 people with moderate to severe cases of Covid-19.
Cunningham s a i d Ireland will also support the provision of personal protective equipment and other essential equipment to strengthen screening and contact tracing at points of entry in both districts.
Working with Malawi Red Cross Society and the Story Workshop, Ireland envisages that 800 000 people will be reached with messaging on public health and countering fake news.
Ireland’s international devel opment pol i cy prioritises humanitarian needs and increasing funding and capacity for rapid response to crises such as Covid-19.
According to the Ministry of Health, Malawi has so far recorded 37 cases with seven recovered, 27 active and three deaths.
